25 Cheap Meals to Make When You Are Broke!
Introduction
Nothing saves the day like a hearty, delicious meal that doesn’t break the bank. The following 25 cheap meals are tasty, filling, and use budget-friendly ingredients—perfect whether you’re cooking for yourself, the family, or a crowd. With the right staples and a handful of easy techniques, these recipes prove you don’t have to sacrifice flavor when saving money.
Why These Budget Meals Work
These meals maximize affordable pantry ingredients like pasta, rice, eggs, beans, and seasonal vegetables. Many can be doubled for meal prep, freeze well, and include versatile flavor options so you can adapt based on what you have on hand. They’re crowd-pleasers for even picky eaters and come together with minimal fuss.
Tips for Cooking Cheap Meals
– Stock up on dried pasta, potatoes, and canned goods during sales.
– Buy ingredients like chicken, ground meats, and cheese in bulk and freeze portions.
– Use a single pan or appliance for ease (clean-up is often faster, too).
– When chopping lots of vegetables, save time with tools like the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper to make prep quick and efficient.
– Store leftovers in portioned containers like the Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 to prevent waste and make future meals even easier.
25 Cheap Quick Meals for Any Day
Most of these easy meals feed 3–4, cost just a few dollars to make, and rely on basic kitchen gear and pantry staples. Serve with a glass of water or a cold drink in your Stanley Quencher ProTour Flip Straw Tumbler, 30 oz for extra savings.
- Peanut Butter Banana Sandwiches
Quick, nutritious, and filling—smear peanut butter on bread, add banana slices, and enjoy. Great for breakfast or lunch.
- Egg Fried Rice
Use leftover rice, scramble in eggs, and add frozen veggies or whatever’s on hand. A SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch makes cleanup easy.
- Pasta Aglio e Olio
Spaghetti tossed with olive oil, garlic, and a pinch of chili. Add Parmesan if available.
- Vegetable Stir Fry
Sauté fresh or frozen veggies with soy sauce and serve over rice or noodles.
- Chili Beans
Simmer canned beans with diced tomatoes, onions, and simple spices. Stretch with rice or cornbread.
- Cheesy Quesadillas
Fill tortillas with cheese and leftover meats or beans, then griddle until crispy.
- Hearty Lentil Soup
Simmer lentils, carrots, onions, and canned tomatoes for a protein-packed soup.
- Breakfast-for-Dinner (Eggs & Toast)
Simple scrambled eggs, toast, and a side of fruit make a comforting, cheap dinner.
- Baked Potato Bar
Bake potatoes, then top with butter, cheese, beans, and anything left in the fridge.
- Tuna Pasta Salad
Mix cooked pasta with canned tuna, mayo, and any diced veggies. Perfect cold in a Bentgo Salad Container – 54 oz Bowl for lunches.
- Vegetable Omelet
Beat eggs with milk, pour over sautéed onions and vegetables, cook, and fold.
- Ramen With Extras
Upgrade instant ramen with an egg, frozen veggies, or leftover protein for heartier fare.
- Simple Chicken Stir Fry
Stir fry chicken (or tofu), onions, and vegetables in soy sauce, serve over rice.
- Cabbage & Sausage Skillet
Sauté chopped cabbage and sliced sausage or hot dogs for a filling meal.
- Sloppy Joes
Sauté ground beef with tomato sauce and spices, serve on hamburger buns.
- Black Bean Tacos
Fill corn tortillas with canned black beans, cheese, and salsa.
- Vegetable Curry with Rice
Sauté veggies, add curry paste or powder, coconut milk (optional), and serve over rice.
- Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
Classic comfort food. Try making soup in the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart for convenience.
- Homemade Pizza Toast
Top bread with tomato sauce and cheese, then bake until bubbly.
- Bean & Veggie Burritos
Roll cooked beans, rice, and veggies in tortillas, heat, and serve.
- Pancakes (Any Meal)
Basic pancake batter is cheap, fast, and filling—serve with fruit or a bit of jam.
- Spaghetti with Marinara
Boil pasta, heat jarred or homemade marinara, and combine.
- Chicken & Rice Bake
Layer rice, any cooked chicken, and veggies in a dish; bake with broth until hot.
- Hashbrown & Veggie Skillet
Shred potatoes, sauté with peppers and onions, and top with a fried egg.
- Rice & Beans
The ultimate budget meal: cook rice, heat up canned or dry beans with seasonings, and plate.
Meal Prep and Storage Made Simple
Portion leftovers with Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for grab-and-go breakfasts, lunches, or quick dinners. Dice vegetables efficiently for the week’s recipes with the Mueller Pro-Series Vegetable Chopper and always have your favorite cold drink ready with the Stanley Quencher ProTour Tumbler.
Serving Suggestions for Budget Meals
Round out these dishes with a simple green salad, cut fruit, or a small piece of bread. Use the Mueller Pro-Series Vegetable Chopper to prep veggies for sides or salads in no time. For keeping things mess-free on busy nights, top your table with a Pureegg Plastic Table Cloth Disposable so cleanup is a breeze.
Nutrition and Prep Time Overview
Almost all these meals average 300–500 calories per serving and are easily adaptable for dietary needs. Prep time ranges from 10 to 30 minutes, with the majority requiring only one pan for speedy meals and effortless cleanup.
Recap: 25 Cheap Meals for Every Occasion
Whether you’re feeding yourself or a crew, these 25 cheap meals prove that you can keep both your stomach and your wallet full. They’re flexible, loaded with flavor, and designed for real budgets. Try a few this week and discover just how satisfying savvy, affordable eating can be!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Choose a recipe above based on what ingredients you have available.
- Gather necessary pantry staples and prep all vegetables. For fast prep, use a Mueller Pro-Series Vegetable Chopper to dice onions, peppers, or potatoes evenly.
- Cook your chosen protein, starch, or vegetables, typically in a single pan or skillet for efficiency. For one-skillet meals, a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet is a smart choice.
- Season and assemble the meal, tasting and adjusting spices as needed.
- Serve immediately, or store cooled leftovers in meal prep containers like Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 5–15 minutes per meal
Cook Time: 10–25 minutes per meal
Total Time: Most recipes are ready in under 30 minutes!
Take advantage of these affordable recipes and practical tools to keep your belly—and your budget—full and happy.
